World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and Global Institute for Water Environment and Health (GIWEH).

Other potential partners: UNEP, UNIDO, ITU and other agencies working on technology transfer issues

Introduction

Innovation and technology are recognized as fundamental to sustainable development. This priority has been recognized from the very outset of the international community?s efforts to address the challenges of sustainable development and is reflected in the preparations for Rio+20. Despite recognition of the importance of the development and dissemination of new and more environmentally sound technologies, difficulties remain in understanding how to make it happen. This side event will provide an opportunity for participants to explore what is required to make innovation work and what is necessary to achieve long term and successful technology partnerships. Speakers will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of efforts to date, as well as examples of where it has worked and where it has not. The event will contribute to the outcome of Rio+20 by developing practical ideas on how best to make innovation and technology contribute to the achievement of sustainable development.

Detailed programme

A transformation to a ?green economy? requires a shift from the current technological base to the widespread use of environmentally sound technologies in a manner, which supports economic, social and environmental development. This shift to a new technology base requires policies that incentivize investments in the research and development of new environmentally sound technologies and which support the transfer, adaptation and widespread dissemination of these technologies. A critical component of this new technology base is the energy-water nexus. With expectations of global demand for energy set to double by 2030, replacing existing fossil fuel based sources of energy with renewable technologies, such as wind power, biomass, solar, geothermal and wave, will be the one of the main challenges facing the transformation to a green economy.

The Side Event will explore experience and ideas on the following issues:

? The successful transfer, adaptation and widespread dissemination of technologies requires a systemic approach to the development and deployment of technology incorporating intellectual property, know-how, procedures, goods and services, and equipment as well as organizational and managerial skills. (Agenda 21, Chapter 34, paragraphs 3, 4). What support is already available to help in the successful development of long-term technology partnerships, in particular public-private partnerships?

? A rich body of scientific and technological information exists in the global technology databases which are managed by WIPO and that can support innovation and the search for green technology solutions. The Side Event will offer an opportunity to learn about the role of patent information as a tool to support innovation and technology transfer. This will be illustrated by looking in more detail at two pressing water challenges, namely, water desalination using alternative energies and water treatment/purification. Two patent landscape reports have been prepared for WIPO by Cambridge Intellectual Property Ltd. in cooperation with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Global Institute for Water Environment and Health (GIWEH): "Water Desalination Technologies and the Use of Alternative Energies for Desalination" and "Water Treatment/Purification Technologies". Patent Landscape Reports have also been developed on solar cooking and one is being developed on solar cooling, which are key to address two key aspects for feeding humanity in a sustainable manner, and in the case of solar cooling, also to allow farmers and fishermen to store products for the market, etc. A further report is being produced in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) on plant salinity resistance, which is a major challenge for many farmers, in particular in the context of climate change. These reports provide an important and underutilized resource in the search for technologies to support sustainable development objectives.

? What is being done to support access to this information which enables informed technology choices to be made and which helps promote the development of technology partnerships?

? How can we improving and ensure greater coordination in the delivery of human capacity building and technical assistance to support the development of science, technology and innovation infrastructure and technology management, including intellectual property management, in developing countries.

? How do we build the empirical evidence base on the relationship between innovation and technology policy tools, including intellectual property rights, and the transfer of technologies, to support better-informed policy making by decision-makers.

? The side event will include a presentation on WIPO Green, which is a technology marketplace, that responds to the wide recognition that green technologies can significantly contribute to worldwide efforts towards achieving a low-carbon economy. The projects key objectives are the accelerated adaptation, adoption and deployment of environmental technologies, particularly in developing countries and emerging economies. The aim of WIPO Green is: to act as a trustworthy focal point where prospective users can obtain relevant worldwide information and learn about new technologies in specific areas; provide expanded technology options for users in their search for solutions; offer easy access to technology, technical assistance, as well as licensing and financial support; provide reputational benefits for companies proactively engaged in promoting the uptake and diffusion of green technologies; create opportunities to enter new markets and to reach out to potential global partners, serve as a reliable entry point for partnerships. WIPO Green enables owners of proprietary technologies to make selected technologies and solutions available as packages, including related know-how, services and materials and facilitates the matching of specific user-formulated needs with technology providers. In addition, it provides additional services, including training, consulting, tailor-made dispute resolution and assistance in getting financial support and acts as a hub connecting various critical partners, with WIPO facilitating policy dialogue and networking.